Hesperocallis undulata
desert lily
Attracts PollinatorsDeer ResistantDrought TolerantFragrant (strong)Container Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Hesperocallis undulata is a bulb-forming perennial of the Sonoran and Mojave deserts, sending up a single flowering stalk 1-4 feet (30-120 cm) tall from a bulb buried 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) deep in sand. The blue-green leaves are linear, 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) long, with strongly wavy white margins, and lie close to the ground in a loose basal cluster. In spring, the stalk bears a loose raceme of white funnel-shaped flowers 2-2.75 inches (5-7 cm) long, each marked outside with a silver-green stripe down the center of each segment and scented like an Easter lily. Flowering depends on adequate winter rain; in dry years the bulb may not emerge at all, resting underground through drought. After seed set the foliage withers and the plant disappears by early summer, spending most of the year dormant. The deeply set bulb makes established plants difficult to transplant. Bloom timing and abundance vary widely from year to year with rainfall.
Native Range
Native to the Sonoran and Mojave deserts of southeastern California, Arizona, and northwestern Mexico, where it grows in deep sandy soils of desert flats, dunes, and washes.Suggested Uses
Grown in desert gardens, dry sandy beds, and deep containers among cacti and other drought-adapted plants. Used in native plantings within its range where summer irrigation is absent. Its long dormancy and bare summer presence restrict its use in year-round display beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 4'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open in spring, generally March through May, following sufficient winter rainfall. White funnel-shaped flowers 2-2.75 inches (5-7 cm) long open along the upper stalk and release a sweet fragrance, strongest in the evening. Hawkmoths and bees pollinate the flowers.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White with silver-green stripeFoliage Description
Blue-green with white marginsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun and deep, sharply drained sandy soil suit this desert bulb. It tolerates a soil pH from about 6.5 to 8.5 and requires a dry, warm dormancy through summer and autumn. Winter and early-spring moisture triggers emergence and bloom, while summer water on the dormant bulb causes rot. The bulb pulls itself deep into loose sand, so containers must be deep to hold it. Plants are slow from seed, often taking several years to reach flowering size. Gophers and other rodents feed on the bulbs.Pruning
Spent flower stalks can be cut once seed has shed or removed earlier to prevent self-sowing. Withering leaves are left to feed the bulb before they dry completely. No other pruning applies.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons